Online Platform Technical Consultant

Job Summary:

Anera is looking for a Technical Consultant who will lead on managing the evolution of Nahno-Volunteers online Platform. We are looking for a dynamic, strategic and creative thinker who combines technical and communication skills, and is passionate about the promotion of volunteerism across Lebanon. 

Project Description:

The National Volunteering Platform project, in partnership with MoSA and funded by Unicef, aims to promote a culture of youth volunteerism and civic engagement in Lebanon through engagement with youth and local non-government organizations on Nahno-Volunteers Platform – an online platform that matches youth with volunteer opportunities across Lebanon.

How it works: Upon becoming active partners on the platform, organizations including NGOs and institutions, can post volunteer opportunities; youth, upon registering on the platform, can match with these opportunities to gain invaluable volunteer experiences. It is a flexible and adaptive platform designed to cater to the unique interests and skills of both youth and partner organizations.  The platform can be accessed online at: https://www.nahno-volunteers.com

Ideally, the successful candidate’s profile and experience would include the following:

1. Technical Background

• Understanding of Web Technologies: Familiarity with web development languages, frameworks, and platforms (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript, databases, CMS platforms) is essential to understand the issues and communicate effectively with developers.
• Testing and Quality Assurance: Experience with website testing, including functionality, performance, and security testing, is crucial.
• Technical Support Experience: Background in providing technical support and troubleshooting issues.

2. Communication Skills

• Clear Communication: Ability to explain technical issues in a way that non-technical stakeholders can understand.
• Negotiation and Persuasion: Skill in negotiating with developers and other team members, ensuring that deadlines are met and quality is maintained.
• Documentation: Ability to document issues, solutions, and processes clearly and concisely.

3. Project Management

• Time Management: Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and keep track of project timelines.
• Coordination: Coordinating between different teams and stakeholders to ensure smooth operation and timely resolution of issues.

4. Problem-Solving Skills

• Analytical Thinking: Capability to analyze problems, identify root causes, and propose effective solutions.
• Critical Thinking: Ability to evaluate the feasibility of different solutions and advocate for the most suitable one.
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• 5. Interpersonal Skills
• Team Collaboration: Ability to work well with developers, designers, and other team members.
• Conflict Resolution: Skill in resolving conflicts and managing disagreements in a professional manner.

Main Functions:

• Monitor website performance and identify technical issues.
• Communicate with the development team to relay technical issues and request solutions.
• Test website functionality and report bugs or issues.
• Provide technical support and assistance to end-users and stakeholders.
• Document technical issues, solutions, and processes.
• Ensure that development timelines are met and negotiate deadlines with the development team when necessary.
• Act as a liaison between the technical team and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Develop and Execute Strategies: Formulate and implement strategies to ensure the Nahno-Volunteers platform achieves its goals and objectives.
• Understand the context and set the platform's technical direction to support growth and program goals.

Manage Platform Lifecycle

• Lead Redesign and Collaboration: Oversee necessary platform redesigns in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Ensure ongoing maintenance and content updates, report progress and results, and coordinate with the larger team.

User Experience (UX/UI)

• Enhance User Experience: Ensure the platform delivers an intuitive and seamless experience for its users.
• Gather feedback, analyze user behavior, and collaborate with the project team, technical team, and stakeholders to make improvements and enhance usability and satisfaction.

Technical Oversight

• Ensure Stability and Security: Work with technical teams to maintain the platform's stability, scalability, and security.
• Manage infrastructure, monitor performance, optimize operations, ensure data safety, and resolve technical issues as they arise.

Data Analysis and Insights

• Leverage Data Analytics: Use data analytics tools to track key metrics, derive insights, and make data-driven decisions.
• Monitor user engagement, analyze trends, and identify areas for optimization.

Partnership Management

• Build Relationships: Develop and maintain relationships with external partners, including youth organizations, NGOs, social media, and external developers.
• Work together to assess platform operations, enhance capabilities, and expand the platform's ecosystem.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaison and Collaboration: Act as a liaison between different stakeholders, including external partners, youth, and the project team.
• Communicate updates, solicit feedback, and foster collaboration to drive platform success.

Platform Promotion

• Collaborative Promotion: Work with the project team, youth, and partners to promote the Nahno-Volunteers platform both online and offline through events, digital marketing, and other channels.

Requirements:

• Education: relevant university degree in computer science, engineering, information technology or similar
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar role / platform management, with project management tools and methodologies.
• Experience in web technologies, testing, and technical support.
• Preferred previous experience working with youth and NGOs 
• Excellent oral and written skills in English and Arabic 
• Ability to work effectively in teams of different backgrounds
• Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of stakeholders
• Excellent planning and organizing, professionalism, self-management skills 
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision and tight deadlines 

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time.  

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics are conducive to conditions in an office environment.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job responsibilities.